The Great Green Wall is an ambitious initiative seeking to restore degraded lands across Africa's Sahel region to combat desertification and climate change. Central to its recent progress is the Great Green Wall Accelerator, launched in 2021. The Accelerator aims to address funding delays, improve project tracking by country, and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing efforts through an online database[1]. This initiative empowers various stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and ensuring transparency.
The GGW Accelerator has been pivotal in organizing national coalitions. These coalitions bring together state actors, donors, NGOs, and agencies to share insights and collaborate, significantly improving project coordination. By establishing common metrics for tracking progress, the Accelerator helps measure restoration efforts, job creation, and income generation effectively[1]. This structured approach uncovers which projects succeed and which require reevaluation.
In addition to improved coordination, the Accelerator addresses past funding challenges. An additional $19 billion was funneled into the initiative post-launch, plugging significant financial gaps. This cash infusion aids ongoing projects and motivates further investment, offering hope for achieving the Great Green Wall's 2030 targets[1]. However, continual financial support remains critical, urging international donors and private investors to continue backing this transformative initiative.
With unified management metrics, ongoing financial infusions, and significant international support, the Great Green Wall Accelerator is shaping the future of environmental restoration efforts across the Sahel. Its collaborative approach and continued funding commitments are creating tangible impacts—improving livelihoods, increasing food security, and driving sustainable land management practices. The goal is not just a greener Sahel, but a vibrant, economically stable region for the millions living on the edge of the Sahara[1].
References:
1. Collaboration, data and tracking move Africa’s Great Green Wall toward its goal
